Clemson's Watkins out for redemption this season

Tuesday

Aug 27, 2013 at 10:06 PM

Tigers wide receiver Sammy Watkins looks to bounce back this year.

By ERIC BOYNTONeric.boynton@shj.com

CLEMSON — Reporters scrambled for microphone space on a table in front of interview subject Sammy Watkins as he settled into a chair before effortlessly reaching down to snatch a falling piece of equipment well before it hit the ground.“First catch of the year, good hands,” someone joked regarding the Clemson receiver's nimble reflexes.This time last year was no joking matter for Watkins, who served a two-game suspension for a drug-related arrest to open the season and then was plagued by illness and injury for much of the remainder while teammate DeAndre Hopkins stole the show on his way to becoming an NFL first-round draft choice.Watkins acknowledged Tuesday that he never quite got into tip-top shape while also losing much of the chemistry he'd enjoyed with quarterback Tajh Boyd during a monster freshman season. “I don't think me and Tajh were on the same page,” Watkins said. “I was kind of slowed down with missing two games and don't think I was (ever) back to game speed. I was practicing slow, playing slow in the games. I don't think I was in shape or prepared mentally. Right now I'm free-minded and living right. My body is totally different and I'm focused in on the game. I'm not worrying about any off-the-field issues and am more mature now and ready to play. I just can't wait.”Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris believes a return to prominence for Watkins is inevitable, saying, “There is no comparison in Sammy from last year to this year in camp. He's a lot more explosive, a lot more lean, very determined and very focused. He's had probably as good a camp as anybody we have.”The majority of collegians would have no issue posting the kind of numbers Watkins did last season when he caught 57 passes for 708 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 19.8 yards on 13 kickoff returns. But Watkins is the very small minority when it comes to natural ability and the 6-foot-1, 205-pounder was obviously not near the same player who took the nation by storm as a freshman when he had 82 receptions for 1,219 yards and 12 touchdowns and was as feared as anybody as a return man.Consider the rarified air that Watkins occupied when he became only the fourth first-year freshman in NCAA history to be named Associated Press First-Team All-America. The others were Herschel Walker, Marshall Faulk and Adrian Peterson.It's not like Watkins has only those past greats to try and live up to as Hopkins totaled 82 catches for 1,405 yards and 18 touchdowns during last year's star-making performance.“I don't think I have to prove anything,” Watkins said. “I just need to go play the way I've been playing and do the things I've been doing since I was a freshman and everything will work out.”Hopkins and Watkins share daily texts and/or phone calls with Hopkins (currently making an immediate preseason splash with the Texans) imploring his former teammate to top his major doings from a year ago. Watkins vowed earlier in camp to surpass Hopkins and that hasn't changed.“Those are all my same goals,” Watkins said. “He had a dominant season last year and those are the things I want to accomplish this year.”Senior tailback Rod McDowell said last week that, “when you look at Sammy in practice you're like, wow, I can't believe what he's doing.”Watkins has been working on making the game his true craft with dedicating his body and mind to improving himself the entire offseason. He's been eating, sleeping and working right with Clemson's trainers putting him through his paces like never before. He's trying to add an increased “nasty” edge to his game much like the toughness Hopkins regularly displayed. He also feels he's rekindled his strong connection with Boyd.“We spent a lot of time in (Death Valley) just talking and working real hard, running the stadium together, and you need that kind of connection with your quarterback to where we have that trust and that bond and we worked on that a lot.“I want to come into games making every coach and defender have to game plan for me and that will open up opportunities for others. I think everybody is just really waiting to see my first game to see if I'm that same player. This is the season to prove to everyone I can make as many plays as I did my freshman year.”

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.